Tuesday, August 13, 2013

I have good memories of Back to School shopping as a child. We would stock up on clean, crisp notebooks (that were just crying out to be written in), new packages of brown paper lunch bags, and, my personal favorite, pick out new clothes that were going to keep me looking fashionable all year long.

However, my parents were smart and knew that there was no reason to spend a fortune in department stores just to make sure that I would end up with the brands and styles that I was begging and pleading to have. Why do that?

That is one lesson that has stuck with me into adulthood, as when my kids are excited to head out to do some Back to School shopping, I know that we can just hop in the car to go find a huge selection of brand name fashions at incredible savings from Gordmans.

By carrying only top quality, current-season department and specialty store merchandise at savings of up to 60% off the competitions' ticketed prices every day, it just makes sense to shop at Gordmans to find high quality, designer merchandise for less money.

Really the question isn't what's so great about shopping at Gordmans but more why in the world wouldn't you shop there? Brand names and top designers for less money — who doesn't want that?

But that isn't all! Gordmans recently launched their new gRewards loyalty program, a free and easy way for guests to shop, earn and redeem. This is not a credit card (although you will earn points faster if you happen to be a Gordmans credit card holder), but a way to earn points on purchases for future rewards!

Is there a reason not to join a free rewards program that benefits you for shopping? gRewards not only offers you one point for every dollar that you spend, but then gives you a $10 reward for every 200 points you earn. Free $10? Yes, please!

This program also gives members an additional 10% off their entire purchase for their birthday, a special Platinum Status when they've reached $300+ and more. Find out more by visiting gRewards.Gordmans.com!

After finding out about Gordmans' fashions, options, deals and savings, I knew that heading over was the perfect idea to get a few last items we needed for Big Sister E to be prepared for the start of the upcoming school year.

While our eyes almost didn't know where to look first (the fashions! The styles! The bargains!), we managed to tear ourselves away from the baby clothes (Big Sister E loves oohing and aahing over their tiny size) and the home décor (the awesome chevron pillows were this close to coming home with me if I could have figured out a place for them to go) to make it over to the girls' section.

On the way, however, I couldn't help notice that the price tag on every item that we glanced at made it extremely easy to see just how much of a bargain it was there at Gordmans.

Really high quality, comfortable, stylish Nike apparel for kids?

The MSRP and "theirs" price is $35, but Gordmans had these great pants for only $19.99!

Cute, trendy and durable Puma backpack that would be perfect for the rough and tumble that kids put their gear through all school year long?

The MSRP and "theirs" price is $40, but why not head to Gordmans instead to pick it up in one of various great colors for only $29.99? Maybe it's just me, but I love seeing what competitors are charging for similar merchandise and knowing that I'm keeping extra money in my pocket simply by being a smart shopper!

The rest of our time at Gordmans was spent looking at everything from clothing to accessories to shoes, as we enjoyed the very friendly Gordmans' employees help and the store's overall fun and entertaining atmosphere.

While my husband didn't come along on this girls' shopping trip, I know that he would have been extremely pleased with the "Gordmans Grandstand" area — a comfortable seating area in the men's department with sports programming playing — as Big Sister E was perfectly happy with the "Gordmans Giggles" area and the children's programming playing on a large-screen TV.

Sometimes you just need a little break from shopping to hang out with Phineas & Ferb!

Although we didn't end up with a huge purchase (I can't believe we're just about ready for school to begin and we still have three weeks left — I'm actually prepared for once!) Big Sister E and I both managed to pick up a few essentials that we needed in our closets.

According to the price tags, the "theirs" cost of my three camis and Big Sister E's cute romper and two pairs of sleeping shorts would have been $94. Craziness.

But, thanks to the savings of finding "Something Unexpected" at Gordmans, our final purchase price was a fraction of that, at only $27.50. Now that's what I call a bargain!

Along with their money-saving deals, Gordmans makes you feel good about shopping there through their actions as well. Right now they have teamed up with a charity called No Place For Hate that is taking a stand against bias and bullying in schools. This initiative provides schools and communities with an organizing framework for combating these forms of hatred and Gordmans allows shoppers the option of easily donating $1 or more at checkout to this cause.

To find out much, much more about Gordmans and to see if there is a store location near you, visit Gordmans.com and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Don't forget to check out the Gordmans gRewards program as well and join their mailing list so that you'll never miss the latest sales, discounts and events. Currently (August 1st-September 2nd) teachers receive a 20% discount on a single item when they show their Teacher ID and from August 16th-18th Loyalty members will receive 10% off of their entire purchase and receive a free pair of earbuds with any purchase.

For now, however, join in the conversation below and you'll be entered to win $1,000 as well as a $100 Gordmans gift card!